As of 9:00am EST today, here are today’s Mets minor league starting pitchers:
Tucson Padres @ Las Vegas 51s, 10:05pm EST
Anthony Bass (2-2, 7.02 ERA) vs. Rafael Montero (1-2, 4.65 ERA)
Montero takes the mound tonight for his second consecutive start against Tucson. This time, he will be pitching in front of the home crowd, and he’s coming off his first career Triple-A victory. On July 6th in Tucson, Montero allowed two runs on eight hits, two walks, and three strikeouts in six innings pitched. Despite the improved outing, it’s the fourth consecutive start we’ve seen Montero hand out multiple walks. In 13.1 innings at Cashman Field, the opposition is hitting .333 off the right-hander.
Portland SeaDogs @ Binghamton Mets, GM 1, 5:35pm EST
Portland SeaDogs @ Binghamton Mets, GM 2, immediately after
TBD vs. TBD
The B-Mets will start the second half of their season with a bang, or just a doubleheader. The probable starters haven’t been announced yet.
St. Lucie Mets @ Charlotte Stone Crabs, 6:30pm EST
Matthew Bowman (4-2, 2.69 ERA) vs. Ryan Carpenter (7-5, 4.38 ERA)
Bowman takes the mound following his second loss of the year. He faced Jupiter on July 5th, allowing four runs on six hits (one homer), four walks, and five strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. The runs and walks allowed were both season-highs in St. Lucie. The last time he pitched following a loss, he allowed one run on two hits in eight innings. So, I’m sure the St. Lucie staff will be interested to see how Bowman reacts to his worst start of the season in High-A.
Augusta GreenJackets @ Savannah Sand Gnats, 7:05pm EST
Joan Gregorio (4-2, 3.78 ERA) vs. Matt Koch (5-3, 4.26 ERA)
Koch earned his second straight no decision on July 5th against Greenville. The right-hander allowed three runs while scattering eight hits, two walks, and struck out four in five innings pitched. After struggling through 9.2 innings pitched as a reliever, Koch has successfully made the switch to the rotation, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.60 ERA in 60 innings pitched.
Brooklyn Cyclones @ Aubrurn Doubledays, GM 1, 5:35pm EST
Brooklyn Cyclones @ Auburn Doubledays, immediately after
Dario Alvarez (0-1, 4.73 ERA) vs. TBD
The ‘Clones game yesterday got suspended in the fourth inning, and will be completed today before the regularly scheduled game gets underway.
Alvarez is making his second straight start on the road, and will be trying to complete five innings for the first time this season. His last start came on July 5th against Aberdeen, where he allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits, two walks, and five strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. In each of his three starts, Alvarez has struck out five hitters, giving him 15 punch outs in 13.1 innings pitched.
Kingsport Mets @ Danville Braves, 7:00pm EST
Carlos Gomez (2-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. TBD
Gomez has gotten his season off to a great start, shutting out opponents through his first 17.1 innings pitched, and posting a 1.87 GO/FO rate. He allowed two hits and three walks, while striking out three hitters in 5.2 shutout innings in his last start against the Astros.
GCL Cardinals @ GCL Mets, GM 1, 11:00am EST
GCL Mets @ GCL Cardinals, GM 2, immediately after
TBD vs. TBD
The GCL Mets take the field for a doubleheader today against the Cardinals. The probable starters haven’t been announced yet.
Very excited to see how Montero and Bowman fare tonight; they have been two of the best pitchers in the system all year. I can’t help but think Montero continues to audition for his next team. Some say Big Noah is more likely to go, but I doubt it. He was brought in by this front office, has continued to blossom on their watch, and fits their bill of the kinds of pitchers they want in the rotation long-term (i.e. Harvey and Wheeler). Montero on the other hand doesn’t seem to have as much of an upside and was from the previous regime…so loyalty to him might not be as strong.
That said, I hope they keep both, but that’s not going to happen.